Robert Michael ‘Mike’ Klingel, a Rehoboth treasure
Robert Michael ‘Mike’ Klingel, 82, of Rehoboth Beach, died Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at home after a short illness. He had been hospitalized at Beebe Healthcare for two weeks but wanted to go home to 111 Lake Drive, on Silver Lake, where he had lived most of his life.
Mike was born Oct. 18, 1942, in St. Louis, Mo., to Robert L. and Margaret S. Klingel. His father went to medical school in Missouri, where his parents met.
In 1945, the family moved to Rehoboth Beach, as his father was stationed at Fort Miles in Lewes. Mike often said, "That was the best move they ever made." Mike's father became one of the area's most beloved doctors, and the family loved living in Rehoboth because it was so close to the ocean. For years, Mike could be found walking the boards and people-watching with his friends on his daily hikes.
Mike loved Rehoboth, and he loved life! You could rely on him to greet you with a smile, a big hug, and a twinkle in his eye, along with that unforgettable Mike laugh and chuckle. He had the biggest heart, and was forever devoted to his family and friends, whom he would always call and send cards to on their birthdays or other special events. He truly never met a stranger, and from the post office to the Acres to Crystal Restaurant, Rehoboth loved him right back!
Mike loved music (especially the ‘60s), enjoyed dancing up a storm, and was always enamored with beautiful women. He loved watching his soaps and was a big fan of “ER.” He loved his doggies, lifeguarding in Rehoboth and driving around town in his convertibles. He loved fishing and hunting, and was often found feeding the ducks and geese in his own front yard. He also enjoyed boating and water skiing in his earlier years.
A graduate of Rehoboth High School Class of 1961, Mike worked in the construction business with great friends Dick Baker, the Quillen family, and Bob Wright.
One day, he received a call from a friend wondering if Mike would be interested in changing jobs. He jumped at the offer and went to work as a salesman for an alcoholic beverage company. Over the years, he received many offers to move up the ladder and work at different beverage companies. He ended up working for Century Wine and Spirits for 23 years, until his retirement. During that time, he received many awards, and he was able to travel to the wine country in California, Jamaica and Scotland. While in California, he was able to visit with his cousins who lived there.
Mike fished the White Marlin Open in Ocean City many times with his best friends, Kenny Simpler and Butch Emmert. They never won but had a great time. To his last day, he remained very close to the Emmert and Simpler families. And he would still order White Marlin T-shirts for all of the guys, including Butch Emmert's son, Will, whom he adores, along with Will's wife and children, and also Morgan Ellis and his family. He has also been known to have fished in a very precarious situation with Butch and Pret Dyer in Texas, where they were caught in a very bad storm. Pret swears he would never do that again! Mike had the very first white marlin he ever caught mounted on the wall in his home on Lake Drive.
Mike's best day, though, was Sept. 13, 1980, when he gave up alcohol. He had tried many other times to get sober, but something just clicked that day, and it was the beginning of his new life, which he loved, and with AA. He believed that God intervened that day, and Mike finally admitted being powerless over alcohol. After that, he even continued working in the alcoholic beverage business. He has been instrumental in helping people get sober and remain sober over his 45 years of sobriety. Sept. 13, 2025, was his 45th sobriety anniversary, and he was very proud of this!
Mike was predeceased by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Klingel; and his sister, Kathy Klingel Hill. He is survived by his former wife and caretaker, Sue Warrington-Doud; and his brother-in-law, Robert Walton. Sloane Doud, Sue's daughter, was also a very important person in his life, and he adored Sue's dog, Gidget. He leaves behind many cousins, Pam Prenatt and her husband Jeff, Melanie Hunt and Ellen Witt from California, and many friends who were like family to him. Susie Guberman, Linda Burns-Filer, and Barbara Crane, plus his caregivers Natalie and Gee, were right there with him until the end. And thank you to Walter Brittingham and Leonard Tylecki, and his favorite girl, Paula, for preparing the home for his return. Paula has worked with Mike for over 20 years, and he attended her first baby shower many years ago. Mike was a genuine friend to all people!
Mike’s caregivers and friends would also like to offer a very special thank you to a few of his doctors and nurses, and apologize if they can't remember all of your names, but thank you for being so good to Mike during his stay at Beebe.
Dr. Omar Mahmoud and Dr. Ercilia Arias were the most wonderful doctors; everyone could tell that they really cared about their patients. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And Ikea, a very special nurse in ICU, was remarkable. We will never forget her kindness and compassion. There were Maria and Rita on the third floor, who came to mind for their wonderful caregiving, and there was a wonderful dietary lady named Sheila. Nurses and doctors need to have compassion, not only education and experience, and these folks sure did. These were only a few of the standouts who should be highly commended for their gracious service!
In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate to Beebe Healthcare in his memory, or to a local canine welfare organization or an organization of choice.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 3, at Nicola Pizza, 17323 Ocean One Plaza, Lewes, where family and friends may visit beginning at noon. The family requests visitors wear casual attire.
Sign Mike's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
